date unknown.  location unknown.

A nice roster type shot of the SN 670 reveals the changes SN ownership brought to it.  Long gone are the full sets of windows on the cab sides.  A pantograph now provides current, although one trolley pole remains.  As the 670, the ex-Tidewater unit spent most of its time south of Sacramento and was a regular over the Oakland Hills.

Bill Volkmer collection, courtesy of Don Ross, Don's Rail Photos

Fun With Traction Motors

On Garth Groff's Sacramento Northern On-Line website, Robert Campbell relates an unusual incident he witnessed involving the 106/670.

When not in school, Mr. Campbell liked to spend time at the Concord Depot observing the SN.  One day, after watching a crew make the needed set-outs and pick-ups, he waited to see what the rear power was.  SN typically assigned a motor behind the caboose.  That day, it was SN 670, pushing away and making quite a bit of noise.  Mr. Campbell was treated to the sight of SN motorman-engineer Mr. Hutchins hanging out the cab window and watching the 670's wheels as the motor's inboard wheels on the rear truck merrily spun backwards!

A call was made to the Oakland Shops after the train reached Port Chicago and the engine crew was told that it was impossible for a set of wheels to turn in the wrong direction. However, the shop crew drove alongside the train when it made its return trip, observing it from the county road between St. Marys and Moraga.  Of course, the impossible was possible and one set of wheels was spinning backwards. Mr. Campbell later learned that the 670's wheels had recently been changed out and the electrician at 40th and Shafter, a Mr. Bohannon, had connected the traction motor cables with one pair was crossed.

-from story by Robert Campbell on Sacramento Northern On-Line

The 106 went on to serve the Sacramento Northern for many more years.  These pages document this later portion of the engine's history.

General Electric Steeplecab Electric 106 - SN Service

Tidewater Southern Railway